This show just works for me. Five stars for its unique qualities. If they were playing in what to me is a perfectly mellow manner that night, it was for a reason ... oh, and did I mention they did it oh so well.

Per Time Pilot, I have to agree that, except for a few songs here and there, and the tail end of the show, this is the classic Zzzzzfest. I never thought The Boyz could play Jack Straw slower than on Europe '72. Row Jimmy, Ship Of Fools, and Black Peter are truly death-defying. But then, the whole year was pretty laid back. I don't hold that against The Boyz. The way it was was the way it was.

Cumberland is fabulous at this speed. It can get sooo sloppy played too fast. China Doll is perfectly cast for the ultimate comatose closer (it's listed as 1st set closer in DBV CC.)
Sure there are livelier shows in '74. But, you have to be in the right mood listening to most of 1974 anyway. If you've recently been diagnosed as catatonic or you're just in a mellow mood, this is 4 U.

Four stars for the audience sound quality that was pretty hard to capture in '74 (it would be average otherwise.) Truthfully, I might have thought the dynamics would be a touch bettter being 15 rows center. The technology just wasn't there back then. Shame. Some of these tunes are beautiful and purely unique to this year and this evening... most notably the Jam before Ship Of Fools and Dark Star >Spanish > U.S. Blues. I just wish there was more of it. Being well played, well recorded, and unique, it's worthy of more than just the average rating. But, you can toss the other half of this show in the can if you need more energy and better sound quality. I don't mind the snoring too much myself.

PS. After listening to this a bit, I'm a bit confused by this recording. At times, I'd swear it was a matrix. At other times, it sounds like it's about at the board (which can have its problems). I don't know what to think. The SBD is pretty good.

I gotta respectfully disagree with the lilrichwhiteboy, this is a powerful show, the tranquility brought about by the playing on songs like ship of fools, row jimmy, not to mention the Dark Star evokes a dream like state if you can contribute your energy to it.Several shows from 73-74 dont necessarily reach out and grab you and gotta put yourself in it. It's natural for different people to prefer different periods of the dead, whether its based on experience, what shows you attended or what you are looking for in music.Many people appreciate an uptempo BEW from 84 as much as a laid back one from 72, but besides it being musically challenging to play some songs at this slow of a tempo and have it together and as intricate as they do its somewhat apparent the music developed a strong life force this night and the energy and life the music evoked this night is beautiful to me, as is the intricate way in which is was technically played. Also this is regarded as one of the top shows and recordings (from this period)
"The second set opening, my friends, is the Dead at their most pure. And in much the same way you might wish to find more albums exactly like Kind Of Blue, but never quite manage it, this set two opening jam is much the same. I think it is best described as a moment of Grateful Dead satori - fleetingly glimpsed, and etched upon the soul forever."

Read more: http://www.deadlistening.com/2008/02/1974-june-22-23-jai-alai-fronton.html#ixzz2NiyJYDL4

good recording ...worth downloading..bandis in good form around this time in 74

Hahaha, TimePilot: "Performance 2.5 stars = 2.75 stars overall"

Did you miss the part where they play DARK STAR?

One of the best WALL OF SOUND audience recordings in existence. Light, airy, stereophonic...."you are there". If you like this recording, please check out Rob Bertrando's Hollywood Bowl on 1974-07-21.

Most, if not all, shows from 1974 were played at this pace. Also, I agree that "mellow" is something the Dead did incredibly well. This month was packed end-to-end with killer shows and this one holds up nicely. It's not quite at the level of the Boston and Provy shows a few nights later but definately in the same general ballpark. The "Star" isn't all-timer but it pretty much demolishes any post-hiatus version.

Also, this is an excellent audience recording for the era. Generally speaking most pre-1975 auds aren't worth the download IMO (with obvious exceptions like 8/6/71, 5/3/69, etc.) but this one definately is. Jerry is way up in the mix much like 7/1/73 (another great audience tape from this era); it takes some getting used to and you may need to make some adjustments to bring out Phil a little bit but overall this is a rewarding listen, especially on headphones.

I love the Jam>Ship to open set II. Jerry at his best. The whole show is A+. One of my favorites ever

I always thought that people listened to the Dead because they liked mellow music. Over the years I've come to realize that some people would rather hear Bobby rock out with spastic fury than hear Jerry sing a sweet ballad. This show rules for the same reason a lot of '74 and most of June '76 rules, BECAUSE the songs are played nice and slow. Well, not just that, but I do consider it to be a big plus rather than a minus. It's the sped up versions of songs from late '77 and early '78 that really bother me. To me the Grateful Dead have been a safe haven from the sugar-cracked-out,in-your-face, super flashy pop culture of America, and this show is a perfect example of that.

This show contains what is,for me,the best version of "To Lay Me Down" I've ever heard. Jerry's guitar solo is killer, and his voice is so soulful. A truly beautiful song!!! The rest of the show has its moments, but is otherwise average in my book. That being said, an average Dead show is still better than a great anything else;P

This show is worth it for the U.S. Blues alone! And, I think everyone would agree, that's saying something. I've been listening to this tape for about 25 years and it's still one of my favorites. The Dark Star Jam>Spanish Jam>U.S. Blues, Uncle John's > Sat Nite are GREAT!! The other versions of the songs are maybe mellow but very nice. It's what adds to the unique character of this show.

I don't think China Doll belongs (Deadhead's Taping Compendium V.1 does not list it for this show) Otherwise its a good listen US Blues is great WHOLE SECOND SET FILLED WITH AWESOME MUSIC

Is there something I'm not hearing? I am a huge 74 fan and also a huge AUD fan, and this show is average at best. There are many other superior shows. Both reviews for the AUD and the SBD are raving and I just don't see it. This is a true snore fest up until the last 5 songs. Highlights are a only time Let It Rock, Cumberland, Big River & the Spanish Jam > US Blues segue. Ending set I with China Doll, following up with Phil & Ned and then opening set II with Ship of Fools? Ouch!!!

Sound quality for this AUD is lacking also...hissy and Garcia is too loud (which is a nice novelty for a while, then you find yourself begging for Phil). Phil & Ned is interesting to see what it was like live.

Sound Quality 3 stars, Performance 2.5 stars = 2.75 stars overall.

this is a good AUD. ill take a decent AUD over a drab SBD any ol day of the week. Phil blows up the Star and the Spanish Jam. Phil your the man.